Investigation involves juveniles, adults

Eufaula Police Chief David Bryning on Thursday released a statement about his department’s investigation into sex crimes and the arrest of two suspects, Kaylee Renee Hartline, 25, of Tulsa, and Jackson Thurman Whitt, 27, of Russellville, Ark.

Hartline is scheduled for a competency hearing at 9 a.m. on Feb. 14. Whitt is scheduled for a pre-preliminary conference on March 6.

Bryning’s statement gives greater insight into the ongoing investigation.

Statement by Police Chief David Bryning:

The Eufaula Police Department has an open, multitiered investigation involving multiple suspects involving multiple “CSAM” (Child Sex Abuse Material) Crimes.

At this time, I can confirm that the Eufaula Police Department has made two arrests. One was made in Russellville, Arkansas, with the help of HIS (Homeland Security) and the Pope County Sheriff ’s Office.

The second was done in Ada, Oklahoma, with the help of HIS (Homeland Security), and the District 25 Task Force.

Due to this being an ongoing Multi-Tiered and Multi-Agency investigation involving juveniles we cannot comment further at this time.

The Eufaula Police Department is dedicated and steadfast in its mission to protect citizens by proactively addressing crime, identifying, and responding to community needs and concerns, and by serving citizens and victims of crime with professionalism and compassion.

As the Police Chief I want to give special thanks to our SROs (School Resource Officers). They have been instrumental in the early detection, investigation, apprehension and the ongoing examination and inquiry in crimes involving our children and community as a whole.

Our SROs are nationally certified as School Resource Officers as well as nationally certified ICAC (Internet Crime Against Children) Investigators.

They are cross-commissioned with the Mc-Intosh County Sheriff ’s Office and Lighthorse Police Department.

Our SROs are highly qualified, motivated and have been absolutely essential in bridging the gap between Uniformed Patrol and Advanced Investigations.